The Scentual Life

A mutable, Mercury-ruled earth sign, mindful maiden Virgo demands that we make stock of the ways we’ve grown and the crops we’ve gathered throughout the first three quarters of the year before we move into the last. Mercury retrograde, too, began on August 23rd, joining Venus in inviting us to stop, reflect, and carefully (re)consider our next steps before proceeding. While it may feel counterintuitive or disharmonious, there is divinity within the timing of this transit; Virgo is no stranger to splitting the wheat from its shaft, and though she thrives best in the company of the communities she works so...

The Sun began its ingress into Leo on July 22nd, where it will languor until the 23rd of August. Adversely, Venus, ruler of the sensual world, began its retrograded course just moments before; a difficult transit that will have us grappling with the pleasure sectors in our lives into September. When stationed retrograde, Venus severs us from her enveloping hold and implores us to review the areas and dynamics in our lives which feel barren and depleting, while solar Leo commends recognition for its brilliance. When feeling obscured by Venus' shadow, conjure Leo's pride and allow yourself the awareness of...

What might we glean from the reflective surface of the Cancerian shell this season? Whether this is a time to lean into care or to extend it, here are our chosen olfactory allies to keep you afloat through deep pools of sentiment, each selected for their ability to open and envelop the heart.

  With feet I stayed, and with mine eyes I passedBeyond the rivulet, to look uponThe great variety of the fresh May. Canto XXVIII, Purgatorio   With this message we celebrate the notes of Jasminus grandiflorium & sambac, also known as Common Jasmine or the Poet's Jasmine. Aptly, we choose to revere these notes during the estimated month of birth of Dante Alighieri, writer of the Divine Comedy, and whose Canto XXVIII, marked by the appearance of the Proserpine-like character of Matelda in Purgatory, is a lush display of the blooms of May and their rapturous fragrance. Let us herald the Jasmine of the poets and those who...